The ANC ruling party in South Africa is calling for a shift to a modern method of male circumcision after 30 more deaths due to the use of ritual circumcision were reported on Tuesday.

The deaths were caused by blood loss and infection, while some were due to exhaustion and hypothermia since the bodies of the boys were pushed to the limit.

The latest round of circumcision deaths doubles the toll for 2013 due to the procedure on the male penis, making the year as one of the deadliest. In May, 30 more boys from the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga died because of the rite.

The police have arrested five people because of the series of circumcision deaths.

Besides the 30 dead boys, more than 300 young males from the Eastern Cape province have been hospitalised due to the botched procedure.

Unlike clinical circumcision which is done by doctors and over in half an hour, while the ritual circumcision done in rural area include physical challenges, deprivation and isolation.

Most of South African rural males have the foreskin of their penises removed when they reach their teens. So far, 30,000 boys have signed up for the rite of manhood in 2013.

ANC spokesman Keith Khoza called for medical training and licensing for men who will perform the circumcision.

"We believe that the recent deaths are quote alarming, they are unacceptable. And we believe they can be mitigated with proper medical support in these initiatives," he said.

However, Mr Khoza said the ANC would not push for an outright ban on ritual circumcision since it would be difficult to impose since majority of South Africans in traditional areas consider the rite as important to their standing as individuals in their communities.

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